Make: Colt
Model: Single Action Army 2nd Generation
Serial Number: 1663SA
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter-round blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber with rampant colt in oval at their tops. The interior of each grip has "1663" hand-scribed. Originally black, the grips have started to go to a brownish color. The grips otherwise show no notable wear or damage, only light handling wear. The checkering is well defined with good detail in the rampant colts. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few tiny marks and faint operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a black hinge-lid cardboard Colt box with model matching label and the serial number hand-written on the bottom. In the box is a Colt hang-tag, warranty card, instruction pamphlet, Colt marketing sheet and bore brush.
Our Assessment: Production of Single Action Army revolvers was halted at the outset of World War II to free up machines and manpower for filling wartime orders. After the war, Colt decided not to bring the iconic revolver back into production as it was seen as obsolete. The advent of swing-out cylinder revolvers and reliable semi-automatic pistols, they thought, meant that there was no place in the market for the antiquated single action revolver. Then, with the advent of television and western programs such as Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, and The Gene Autry Show, American interest in the guns that won the west was reborn. In 1956, Colt reintroduced the Single Action Army, this new production run now referred to as the 2nd Generation SAAs.
This is an example from 1956, the very first year of 2nd generation production. It has a 7 1/2" barrel and is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. The revolver is in Excellent condition, retaining 98% original metal finish. While appearing to have seen little, if any actual use, the grips have just started to go to a brownish color, common to the material with aging. In its high condition with original box, this will make a fine addition to any collection and should still prove to be a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
